Did you claim any recovery rebate credit, earned income credit, or child tax credit on your return? Those trigger automatic reviews this year and are causing major delays. Also check if there were any math errors on your return. The IRS has been overwhelmed with corrections for simple math mistakes that slow everything down.

I'm dealing with a similar situation - my refund has been delayed for 6 months now. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing there might be more options than I thought. For what it's worth, I did finally get through to the IRS using the early morning calling strategy someone mentioned. Called at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday and got connected after about 2 hours on hold (which felt like a miracle compared to my previous attempts). The agent was actually very helpful and could see exactly what was holding up my return. In my case, it turned out to be an issue with my employer's reporting that didn't match my W-2. The agent explained that these discrepancies often aren't caught until months later in the process, which explains the long delay with no communication. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your documentation ready when you do get through to someone - your AGI from last year's return, exact refund amount, and any relevant tax documents. The agents can often resolve things on the spot if you have everything they need. Victoria, given that you're at 8 months now, you definitely qualify for Taxpayer Advocate Service assistance. That might be your best bet at this point, especially with the financial hardship from needing those home repairs.

Has anyone actually used the FreeTaxUSA mobile app to enter quarterly payments? Desktop version works fine for me but the app seems to be missing some features.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and totally understand the panic! The great news is that FreeTaxUSA handles this automatically - no special forms needed at all. When you enter your quarterly estimated tax payments in the software (make sure you get all four quarters if you made them), FreeTaxUSA calculates your total tax liability for the year and then subtracts what you've already paid. If you overpaid, that excess automatically becomes part of your refund. Just double-check that you've entered the correct amounts and dates for each quarterly payment. You can verify these by logging into your IRS online account or checking your bank statements. Once you file your return, the IRS will process your refund including that overpayment - usually within 21 days if you file electronically and choose direct deposit. The key thing is making sure all your quarterly payments are properly recorded in the software. Don't stress - this is a very common situation and the system is designed to handle it seamlessly!

Great advice from everyone here! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where my former employer isn't responding. One additional resource I found helpful is the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). If you've tried multiple avenues and are still stuck, they can sometimes help expedite getting your wage information or assist with employer compliance issues. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or through their website. They're especially helpful if you're facing financial hardship or significant delays that could impact your tax filing. It's free and they act as your advocate within the IRS system. Not everyone knows about this service, but they've been really helpful for complex situations where the standard channels aren't working.

Another option that hasn't been mentioned yet is to check if your employer uses a third-party payroll service like Workday, BambooHR, or Gusto. Even if you can't access your old company's employee portal, these payroll platforms sometimes have their own separate login systems where you can access your tax documents directly. You'd typically use the same credentials you used for viewing paystubs. Some of these services also send automated emails with links to view your W-2, so it's worth searching your email for messages from these platforms too. If you remember which payroll system your employer used, you can try going directly to their website and seeing if you can log in with your old credentials. This has worked for several people I know who got locked out of their company portals after leaving.

I'm in a very similar boat - filed in March, got multiple review letters, and I'm still waiting 8 months later for a $3,200 refund. What really helped me understand the process was realizing that the IRS is essentially operating with a skeleton crew while dealing with record numbers of complex returns. A few things that have worked for me: **Documentation is key**: I created a spreadsheet tracking every letter, date, and reference number. When I finally got through to an agent, having this organized timeline made the conversation much more productive. **Local IRS office visits**: I visited my local Taxpayer Assistance Center twice. The second visit was more helpful because I brought a specific list of questions and all my documentation. The representative couldn't speed up the process, but she confirmed my return was in the "identity verification" queue and gave me realistic expectations. **Persistence with phone calls**: The 8am strategy mentioned by others is real. I got through on my fourth attempt at exactly 8:02am on a Tuesday. The wait time was still 45 minutes, but at least I reached a human. The most frustrating part is watching people who filed after us get their refunds while we're stuck in these review cycles. But from what I've learned, complex returns with multiple jobs, states, and amendments just take significantly longer to process manually. Hang in there - every person I've talked to who had similar delays eventually got their refund plus interest. It's just a matter of the IRS working through their massive backlog.

I'm really sorry to hear about your extended wait - 6+ months is absolutely exhausting, especially when you're expecting a significant refund like $4,300. Your situation is unfortunately becoming all too common with the IRS's current processing challenges. From your timeline, the amended return you filed in May after receiving the corrected W-2 is likely what extended your processing time significantly. When the IRS receives amended returns, especially those correcting employment information, they essentially restart their verification process to cross-reference the new data with employer records. A few practical suggestions based on what others have shared here: **Try the 8am calling strategy**: Call the IRS exactly at 8:00am when their phone lines open. You have the best chance of getting through in those first 15-20 minutes before call volume overwhelms the system. **Consider your congressional representative**: At 6+ months, you're well past reasonable processing times. Most congressional offices have constituent services that can submit inquiries to the IRS on your behalf. This often gets faster responses than individual calls. **Visit a local Taxpayer Assistance Center**: Bring all your documentation and a list of specific questions. They can often provide more detailed information about which processing queue your return is in. The good news is that you'll receive interest on your delayed refund - it's currently around 7% annually and compounds daily. While it doesn't make up for the frustration and inconvenience, it's something. Keep documenting everything and don't lose hope. Your letters indicate normal processing for a complex amended return, even though "normal" feels anything but normal when you're waiting this long.

No deduction for regular flooring, but if you're REPLACING flooring damaged by something like a natural disaster or sudden pipe burst that insurance didn't fully cover, you might be able to claim a casualty loss. Doesn't apply to normal wear and tear though!

Great question! Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, regular flooring replacement in your primary residence isn't tax deductible. Since your tiles were just old and cosmetic (not damaged by a covered event), this falls under personal home improvements. However, definitely keep all those receipts! That $7,100 total ($4,300 + $2,800) will increase your home's tax basis, which can save you money on capital gains tax when you eventually sell. It's not an immediate deduction, but it's still valuable long-term. One thing to double-check - if you have any home office space where the new tiles were installed, you might be able to deduct a small portion as a business expense if you qualify for the home office deduction. But for the majority of your flooring project, you'll want to file those receipts away for future sale documentation. The good news is your home probably looks amazing with the new flooring, even if Uncle Sam won't help with the immediate costs!